Turning Yours and Mine into Ours

How to Have an Interest-Based Discussion

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

1:00 pm - 2:00 MDT (Mountain Daylight Time)

In this webinar, you will learn how to:   

·        Determine and understand different types of interests

·        Use tools to effectively uncover others' interests  

·        Know how to use interests to reach common ground

·        Use effective tools for generating options

·       Get to an initial agreement

Click here to learn more and to register for our June 8, 2011 webinar   

 How to Turn Difficult Conversations
about Eldercare into Positive Action

Moving people off rigid positions and toward meaningful communication

We recorded our first (free) webinar for you to listen to anytime!  Watch John, Debbie and our intern Gail "act out" in fun videos! 

Learn how to:     

• Determine and understand different types of interests
• Use tools to effectively uncover others' interests  
• Use interests to reach common ground
• Use effective tools for generating options
• Get to an initial agreement

Webinar Recording  

Colorado Has the MOST  

Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment 

MOST was developed by the Colorado 

Advanced Directives Consortium in cooperation with the Colorado Department of Health and Environment and was passed into law during the 2010 legislative session.

MOST is a simple and portable form of medical orders (not advanced directives) which is binding on other physicians.  it allows you to carry your most up-to-date medical wishes with you should you be seen by medical professionals during an emergency in any setting.

The form is primarily intended to be used by the chronically or seriously ill person in frequent contact with health care providers, or already residing in a nursing facility.

 MOST addresses key life-sustaining treatments, including:

1. CPR or no CPR

2. Medical Interventions:

     > Comfort measures only

     > Limited Additional Interventions

     > Full treatment

3. Antibiotics or no antibiotics

4. Artificial Nourishment and Hydration

5. Identify who is consulted by a health care professional in entering MOST

The MOST is signed by the patient with decisional capacity or by a proxy, Medical Power of Attorney or a guardian. The form is countersigned by a medical professional (MD, PA or Advanced Practice Nurse.)

The MOST stays with the patient and is designed to be reviewed regularly by a healthcare professional so treatment wishes are handy and kept up to date.

MOST 

is standardized, efficient, portable, flexible, updatable and effective.

For more information on this new program, visit

 www.ColoradoAdvanceDirectives.com 

May 31, 2011,  8:00 am

Mean Girls in Assisted Living
By PAULA SPAN

When Rhea Basroon's mother moved into a New Jersey assisted living facility a few years ago, she found a good friend in an new neighbor named Irene. Her daughters, long concerned that their widowed mother had become isolated and depressed, were initially delighted.

"She and Irene were inseparable," Ms. Basroon told me. "Whenever there was an activity, they'd both go. Whoever got there first saved a seat." The two even discouraged others from joining them: "It was just her and Irene."

Then, disaster. Irene was lured away by another resident, abandoning Ms. Basroon's mother. "She was so lonely. There was no one else she'd bonded with," Ms. Basroon recalled. "She was completely devastated."

 Read the rest of the story 

Could You Be Guilty of Ageism?

Have you ever bought an "over the hill" birthday card for someone? Or joked about a senior moment? Perhaps you know somebody faced with mandatory retirement? Or, you have seen an elder marginalized in a family?

We live in a society that seems to be dominated by youthful images. We make jokes about getting older. And it is considered a compliment when an elder is acknowledged for their youthful appearance or attitude, as though that is something unusual. As a society, we tend not to acknowledge the positive aspects of aging. The message is the same -- getting old is associated with negative images of decreased functioning, memory loss, becoming more rigid in attitude and generally being less productive as individuals.

Research has shown that even though aging involves some deterioration in functioning, people who live longer have positive attitudes and are very productive in their older years. When we buy into negative stereotypes about aging and view older people as incompetent or obsolete, we may be guilty of ageism.

Ageism is the act of stereotyping and discriminating against an individual or group based solely upon age

Ageism is important on a societal level as unconstructive views on aging impact public policy toward elders. In families, negative attitudes of aging impact how adult siblings treat their parents. Even our innocent jokes about the harmful aspects of aging may reflect a deeper  bias.

Skeptical views on aging and stereotypical reactions to elders can lead to family conflicts that end up marginalizing elders and limiting their self-determination.

We are an aging population (the fastest growing segment of our population is adults aged 85 and older.) It is important to be aware of our personal attitudes toward aging and our elders.

If we act against the harmful stereotypes of aging, we can better appreciate the contributions of our elders and ensure the best treatment for our senior population.